Mobile 07966792149
iotavisualarts@gmail.com www.stevelliott.artweb.com www.facebook.com/SteveElliott @iota_littlegiants
Steve Elliott - Community Arts CV
In addition to the community arts experience listed here, I have also a total of seven years experience in teaching in Art and Design/Technology departments at KS3, on GCSE courses and eight years experience working as a pictorial sign painter.
Education & Formal Qualifications
1969 - 72 Newport College of Art & Design, Gwent
BA (Hons) Art & Design
1992 - 93 Leeds Metropolitan University.
PGCE Design Technology
Artist statement
I am interested in the folk culture traditions active in carnival and contemporary street arts. My personal artwork involves an investigation of the processes of making masks, processional sculpture and carnival arts media.
I use recycled and natural, biodegradable materials as much as possible; willow, cardboard paper etc.
I make large sculptured figures, bighead and helmet masks, made to be worn and performed in carnival parades.
These are inspired by popular and traditional culture, music hall, seaside postcard, animated film, outsider art and folk art images.
For the most part my figures are comic and lighthearted, some are satirical comments on present day circumstances.
Some bighead masks are paper casts from a clay model, some are made directly with cardboard and paper. All are finished with acrylic paints and varnish.
I also make banners using a wax resist batik painting process on fabric.
I recently returned to printmaking and exhibited drypoint prints based on sketchbook research from the last four years, alongside a selection of masks.
In 2001 I began offering visual arts workshops to all age and ability groups.
Since 2008 I have been based in Hull working through Creative Partnerships, Artlink Community Arts and independently.
Training Courses
2001 May Street Arts Confer, Brighton CASA Delegate
May N.W. Gegants, Manchester Moko Jumbie Masks
May Riddlesden Hall, Keighley Willow Weaving
Jun Re:work Enterprises, Bury Community Arts
2001 Jul Chrysalis Arts, Gargrave Mosaic Paving
Jul Mancat, Hume Manchester Parade Float Building
Sep Re:work Enterprises, Bury Intro to Public Art
2002 Feb Horse & Bamboo Theatre Performing, Making Masks & Puppets
Mar N.W Gegants, Manchester Processional Figures
2003 Feb Action Factory / Barnados Child Protection Train
June School of African Studies Carnival Conference
July Buxton Puppet Festival Bunraku Puppets
2004 Apr HOTB Theatre, Minnieapolis Carnival Parade skills
June Action Factory, Blackburn Disability Awareness
July Buxton Puppet Festival Bunraku Puppets
2007 Mar Arts Award Bronze & Silver Adviser training
2008 May Arts Award Gold Adviser training
Community Arts workshops record
1997
Jul Manor House Gallery, Ilkley Wax resist with Chernobyl kids
1998
Apr Craven Museum, Skipton Mixed media workshops
Aug Yorkshire Artists Exhibition Painting demonstrator
1999 Colne Art Studio Assoc. Artist’s Life Class
2000
Aug Open Door Centre, Burnley Mural Collage workshops
One Stop Shop, Burnley Adults Art group - Mural Commission
2001
Jan New Era, Accrington Wax resist fish mobiles
Jun Wadsworth Old Town Junior Mask workshop
Jul Action Factory, Blackburn Processional Arts works
Aug ARTWORKS, Bradford Summer Community Arts Schemes
Sep Great Harwood Youth Painting with youth club
Sep Norden High, Blackburn- Mural after-school club
2002
Feb Talia Theatre - Stage & scenery painting commissions
Mar Talia Theatre Masks commissions
May Manchester Jubilee Helmet masks commissions, streetband
Jun Action Factory Puppet making workshops
Jun Holy Family School, Monkey masks workshops
Jul Clarendon Road School Mosside Carnival float
Aug Dark Horse Puppets Processional figures
Aug New Era, Accrington Mask / Puppet workshop
Aug Art House Summer Scheme Rocket trolley making workshop
Sep Dark Horse Puppets Shadow puppet making & performance
Oct Art House, Blackburn Residency- visual art
Nov Lancs Youth & Community Mural workshops
2003
Jan Art House, Blackburn Community Estate arts workshops/club
Jan M6 Theatre, Rochdale Carnival costumes
Jan Accrington Art Satellites Carnival Float building with LD adults
Feb M6 Theatre outreach Carnival costumes primary school
Mar Mid Pennine Arts, Burnley Mask making secondary
Mar Mansfield High School, Mask/Headress making
Apr Lomeshaye Primary, Nelson Painting workshops
Apr Puppet Up! Grand Parade Blackpool- parade puppet workshops
May P.H.A.S.E. Project, Colne Mask making workshops
May Eastgates Art shop, Colne Watercolour workshops
May Homezone project, Bolton Street design Illustration commissions
Jun Trawden Primary School Mask making workshops
Jun Tum Hill Residents Assoc. Kite making activities
Jul Kelsall Primary School Big Arts Week- Caterpillar
Jul Blackburn Mela Art workshops - banners
Jul Barnoldswick Bugs Festival Flag making - youth groups
Jul Arts in the Park, Blackburn One day drop in - masks
Jul Carnival in the Park, Nelson Processional caterpillar
Aug River Festival, Conwy Large lantern making
Aug Barnoldswick Bugs Festival Bugs sculpture making
Aug Queen’s Park Fest, Burnley Kite making workshops
Sep Brighter Futures Art Club Banner painting
Sep Padiham Youth Lantern making
Oct Brighter Futures Art Club Lanterns / mask making
Oct Pendle Leisure Trust Big Draw pavement draw
Oct Black Horse Puppets Shadows & Stories collaboration event,
Oct Pendle Leisure Trust Halloween Procession
Nov Brighter Futures Art Club Art making workshops
Nov PHASE Project, Primet Mask commissions, costumes workshops
Nov Chipping school, Ribble Bird Lantern making
Dec Brighter Futures Art Club Mixed media workshops
2004
Jan Eastgates Art shop Watercolour for adults
Brighter Futures Art Club Clay modelling & deco
Jun Big Art Factory, Conwy Mural design workshops
Jul Action Factory @ Bolton Kite mask summerscheme
Bolton Mela Art in the park making
Aug Action Factory @ Darwen Carnival float & costume
Aug Big Art Factory, Conwy Mural painting
Sep Barnoldswick Bugs Festival Artist in Schools primary
Sep The Stables Project, York Garden structures
Oct Pendle Leisure Trust Big Draw pavement draw
Pendle Leisure Trust Wax resist adult-children
Brighter Futures After School Arts 5 – 11
Nov Barnoldswick Comm Arts Giant Lantern ships
Stables Project, York Shadow puppet scenery
Healthy Schools project 2 Murals & pom poms workshops
Mr Rafiq, Blackburn Illustration commission
2005
Feb Talia Theatre Scenery painting commissions
Pendle Small Schools Chinese Art Week - dragon
St David’s Day Colwyn Bay Giant puppet & dragon
Mar Colne Credit Union display Piggybank sculpture primary
Anchorsholme Primary Chinese Art Week – roosters
Oakwood School, Man. Lowry scenery & masks
Pendle Borough Council Recycled materials primary
Pendle Youth Festival Processional sculpture
Trawden Guides, Cubs Walking bus
Salterforth & Kelbrook Chinese Dragon
Apr Pendle Youth Festival Wheels Street Dance procession
Waterside Youth Club Mask making workshops
May Wheels Street Dance Sculpture shopping trolleys
Jun Primet Primary School Flying pig sculpture
Ashleigh Primary School Carnival sculptures, masks
St Peter’s Primary School Chinese Dragon, Thai packs
Jul Talia Theatre/Avanti Display Dracula- 2 giant puppets
Oct Dream Community, Taiwan Processional puppets / lantern animals
2006
Oct Pokhara Children’s Home, Nepal - lantern making
Dec Abhivyakti Media Dev. Nashik, India - mask making
2007
Jan The Stables Project, York Visual Arts tutor
May York Railway Museum Art Bikes workshops, spaceship ride
Sep The Stables Project, York Carnival Arts course leader
Arts Award course mentor
Community arts development
2008
May York City Council Carnival Arts course
masks & processional puppets
Jul Ryde Arts Parade Performed Big Hugehead mask
Lafrowda, St Just festival Large scale lantern making
Performed Hugehead mask
Aug Doncaster Community Arts Mask making for summer scheme
Sep Doncaster Community Arts Mask making for performance
Oct Space 109, York Children’s Art Club (volunteer)
Nov Acomb Garth, York Visual arts workshops mental health group
Arts Action, York Mask making workshops York Carnival 09
Dec Doncaster Community Arts Mask making with youths at risk
2009 Creative Partnerships school workshops in Hull and Scunthorpe
Jan-July
Thorpe Park Primary Fire Festival processional lanterns
Foredyke Primary Carnival masks, processional caterpillar
Gillshill Primary - Outdoor Play musical pipes, mural
Feb Grange Lane Junior African/Jamaican big head masks
April Clifton House Hospital York Hugehead characters / mask workshops
May York Carnival Performing hugehead character
July Lafrowda festival, St Just Processional lantern making workshops,
Performing Hugehead character
Aug Withernsea Carnival Clown masks drop-in workshops,
Warren Youth Centre, Hull Giant processional figure workshops.
Sept Cannon Lee school, York Carnival drums & shakers workshop
Oct Artlink Community Arts Lanterns and mask making workshops
Nov Climate Huddersfield group Giant processional figure workshop
Dec Kingston Youth Centre, Mask making workshops s. n. group
2010
Jan Knayton Primary, Thirsk Creative Partnerships contract
Feb Artlink Community Arts Carnival drums and mask workshops
The Junction, Goole Adult visual art workshops
March Together Trust, Cheadle - Art Residency for Autism, Totem poles
April Transition Hull Climate Change dragon, masks / banner
Hull Carnival Globalisation ship and big head mask
May Wybers Wood, Grimsby Tudor character helmet mask workshops
May Little Weighton Primary Willow giant scarecrow workshops
June Dinnington Comprehensive Bighead mask monsters
June Wolfreton School, Hull Family world cup mascots / T shirts
June Cottingham High School Display sculpture workshop - year 9's
June New Options School, Barton Indian drums & shakers workshops
June Larkin 25 commission Steve Hubbard/10-5 toad painting
Jul Hessle High School, Hull Junk sculpture family workshop
Artlink Community Arts Bird masks workshops
Sept Cottingham High School Mexican day of the dead masks residency
Maritime Museum, Hull Lanterns based on collection
Oct Ropewalk Gallery, Barton Large Lantern family workshop - insects
Cottingham High Halloween witches - family workshop
Streetlife Museum, Hull Pop Art sculpture based on collection
Wolfreton School, Hull Star and pumpkin lanterns workshop
Streetlife Museum, Hull Chrustmas crafts adults workshop
2011 Hull & East Riding Museum Carnival masks adult workshop
Humber Centre, Hull Garden design workshop, adult workshop
Dunswell Primary, Hull Sculpture/role play - cooperation
Little Weighton Primary Mask making, emotions/facial expressions
Bacon Garth Primary Mask making facial expressions
Streetlife Museum Fabric printing T shirts adults workshop
Cottingham Croxby Primary Mask making facial expressions
Humber Centre Willow rocket - adult workshop
Bacon Garth Primary Large portrait masks workshops
Little Weighton Primary Easter pinata family workshop
Hessle High School Easter pinata / robot family workshops
Brough Primary Easter pinata / robot family workshops
Route One Youth project Coolture drawing & sculpture workshops
May Hull Carnival Brownies, Rainbows, Guides - workshops
Westfield Primary Carnival arts workshops - drums, masks
June Croxby Primary Rockpool sculpture workshops
Jul Cottingham Parish Council Fun Day Parade - Mr Pickles, Mr Smiley, masks
Ella Street festival, Hull Fun Day - Mr Smiley
Avenues Open Gardens Exhibit - Mr Smiley and masks
Lisle Marsden Primary Carnival Dove & Ark,drums
Hessle High School Family workshops - Lunar Module sculpture
Artlink, Boulevard Youth Youth group workshops - boardgames
Aug Friends of the Field group Family workshops - drums, shakers
Wolfreton School Family workshops - fantasy teapots
Shooting Fish Theatre Family workshops - mud monsters sculpture
Sep Humber Centre Vinyl window designs for courtyard shelter
Oct Shooting Fish Theatre CPD workshop - willow lanterns
Shooting Fish Theatre Family workshops - giant lanterns Pig and Wolf
Nov Shooting Fish Theatre Goole bonfire event
Newcastle City Council Community masks workshop
Mountbatten Primary Rainforest masks workshops
Jackie Ward Lomax Mayday Hobby horse collaboration
2012
Jan Neasden Primary African Arts Day masks for storytelling
Feb ARKH refugee centre 3 processional figures commission
May Education Otherwise Love Zebra playground sculpture painting
Hessle High School Fish mobiles workshop
Herringthorpe Junior Ugly bug masks workshop
Greatfield residents Mr & Mrs Grin figures, Olympic workshops
Youth Dynamix Alan Torch bearer figure workshops
Child Dynamix Olympic torch figures workshops
Youthopia Jubilee hugehead masks workshops
Longhill Linkup Centre Olympic torch figure workshop
Bishop Sentamu High Refugee figure workshops
June Vamos Tyne carnival Hugehead masks workshop
The Hut youth centre Rock challenge masks workshop
Washacre Primary Jamaica masks workshop
July Swallownest Primary Viking masks workshop
Hessle High School Clay monsters workshop
Eureka Children's Museum Giant flowers and masks workshops
Aug Hull Samba youth group Bear mask workshops
Beverley Puppet festival Processional figures performance
Hessle High school Mud monsters family workshop
Sep Freedom Festival Processional figures performance
Oct The Junction, Goole Residency - Giant willow lantern figures, family workshops and performance
Nov Eureka Child Museum Funny Faces- wax resist and foam block
printing workshops
Dec Scrapstore Santa’s grotto
Rodillian Academy Funny Face masks workshop
2013
Feb Little Weighton Primary Beginners weaving workshop
Hall Road Primary Living willow tunnel building
Mar Hessle High School Clay modelling and wax resist birds
May Mountbatten Primary Water & Extreme Environment masks
The Hut Youth Centre Flags workshop fabric painting
Darleys Youth Centre Funny Faces mask workshop
Rainbow Garden Centre Flower making/ Vase painting workshop
Youth Dynamix Centre Rock challenge workshop
Kingston Youth Centre Giant Dreamcatchers workshop
June Westfield Primary Pop Art sculpture workshops
Archbishop Sentamu Fabric hangings print workshop
Barton Tile Works Public workshop masks/dreamcatcher
July Hessle High Families Science Fiction masks/bubble wrap bugs
Cottingham High Year 6’s Circus Bighead clown masks
Eureka Childrens Museum Under the sea masks/mobiles
Humber St Sesh Public workshop Pirate masks/flags/hats
Aug Rainbow Garden Centre Kite making/ Junk Sculpture workshops
Patrington Haven Leisure Public workshop pirate hats/flags
Sep Kingston Art Group Group exhibition – masks
Spinoff Productions Little giant beefeater commission
Freedom Festival Little giant street performances
2014 Jan Kingston Art Gallery Window painting for exhibition
Feb Collaborative Art Window painting for exhibition
POP Gallery – C&C Window painting for exhibition
C. Pickering Primary Live willow dome workshop
Mar POP Gallery “Party Animals” Little Giants exhibit
Kingston Art Group Studio mural
May ReCOGnition festival Little Giant commission- Geo.Peck
June POP Gallery “Mr Smiley” Little Giants exhibition
Vamos Newcastle “Party Animals” in parade
Hebden Bridge “Party Animals” Handmade Parade
Bolton Home group Manchester Day Parade – elephant
Lord Mayor Parade Hull Little Giants/masks com. Parade
July Goodwin College Mask making youth workshops
Eureka Halifax Summer children’s workshops
Aug Sesh Festival, Hull Little Giants try-on sessions
20/21 Gallery Scunthorpe Comic masks workshops
ReCOGnition festival Family Creativity workshops
Sept Goodwin College Youth workshops – masks
Oct Goodwin College Myton Little Giants workshops
Creative & Cultural Co. “Jack Frost” parade float figure
20/21 Gallery, Scunthorpe Tree sculpture installation, primary school
2015
Feb iota visual arts event Pancake Day Parade
iota visual arts Family Creativity workshops
Mar Hull University Staff development mask workshops
Goodwin Centre Giant Egg painting workshops
Apr iota visual arts Giant Egg Rolling Day
iota visual arts Pearson Park play horse painting
May Vamos Newcastle Hugemask commission Ancient Mexican Barrow Fun Day Masks, dreamcatcher workshops
June Vamos Newcastle “Ancient Mexican” in Parade
Vamos Newcastle mask making workshops
Bessemer Grange Birds on Trollies workshops
July Hedon Festival Primary school workshops
Hedon Festival “Jolly King” commission
Rainbow Garden Centre Bubblewrap bugs workshop
Aug Hedon Festival Hedfest parade, Little Giants
Sep Intack Primary, Blackburn Mural workshops
Juice Festival, Gateshead “Mexican Serpent” on trolley
iota visual arts Family Creativity sessions
Oct Vamos Festival, Newcastle Sugar Skull masks workshop
iota visual arts Family Creativity sessions
2016
Feb St Nicholas Primary Alien mask workshops
Barton Carnival Willow Hugehead masks workshops
St Augustine Webster Sch Giant Greek masks workshops Hull Amnesty group "Mary Murdoch" little giant commission
May Barton Carnival "Desperate Dan" little giant commission
Aug Rainbow Garden Mini Scarecrows workshop
HedFest-Hedon Council Parade characters hire/performance
2017 Hull2017 Pipe Dreams construction commission
Rainbow Garden Mural commission
Rainbow Garden OppyWood memorial commission
Mar Rainbow Garden St Anthony's OppyWood workshops
May Rainbow Garden Mural 2 commission
Eureka Museum Cake little giant commission
Jul Eureka Museum 25th Anniversary workshops
Aug Hull Youth Training Summer School workshops
Hull International Carnival LittleGiant character performance
Oct Artlink/Hull2017 DinnerLadies commission & workshops
Dec Hull city of culture2017 Limitless exhibition & workshops
2018
May Rainbow Garden Entrance mural and signage
July Lafrowda Festival Kiwibird and Maorimask workshops
Sept Hull International Carnival iota LittleGiants parade performance
Ade Bare collaboration Metrix LittleGiant commission
Oct Newport Primary School Burglar Bill & Betty, mask commission
Dec - Jan Art in Residence, Thailand Carnival, mask & LittleGiant workshops
2019
Jan Kindercare, New Zealand Mrs Kakapo LittleGiant & mask workshop
Mar Dom Heffer collaboration "Communication" props and objects
Ade Bare collaboration "Poyo" LittleGiant making
May St Vincents Primary "Iron Giant" robot making - packaging
Holme Valley Primary Egyptian Headdresses - recycled card
Nov Southern International School Artist-in-residence Mr Bottom's Parade Hat Yai, Thailand
2022
Oct Fremont Arts Council Artist in residence- Lantern and LittleGiants
2023
Apr Blue bear Puppet Lab. Mask/ LittleGiants workshops & parade
Jun Propect Centre, Hull Mask/LittleGiants workshops & parade
Nov Christchurch Santa Parade Parade of four LittleGiants
Dec. Auckland New Year Festival Large scale lantern for music stage
2024
Feb South Thailand Artists Assoc. Mask workshops festival/parade
Dugong Village, Trang Mask workshops and parade Ko Kret, Bangkok Mask workshops
Hat Yai International artists Mask workshops
Mar Phuket Thailand Mask workshops & parade